Jargon Guide

(By kind permission of Wyre Forest District Council, from the Adopted Site Allocations andPolicies Local Plan, 2013)

Adopted Core Strategy (2010) -this is the strategic level document within the District’sDevelopment Plan. It sets out the broad locations for delivering housing and other majordevelopment needs in the District such as employment, retail and transport. It guides thesite specific policies within the Site Allocations and Policies Local Plan and the KidderminsterCentral Area Action Plan.

Adopted Local Plan (2004) - the existing planning policy document for the Wyre ForestDistrict, this was adopted in 2004 to guide future development within the District until 2011.Along with the Worcestershire County Structure Plan 1996-2011 and the Hereford andWorcester County Minerals Local Plan (1997) it constituted the Development Plan for theWyre Forest District and has been replaced by the Core Strategy, the Site Allocations andPolicies Local Plan and the Kidderminster Central Area Action Plan.

Affordable Housing - the District Council has adopted the definition of Affordable Housingas set out in the NPPF. "Social rented, affordable rented and intermediate housing, providedto eligible households whose needs are not met by the market. Eligibility is determined withregard to local incomes and local house prices. Affordable housing should include provisionsto remain at an affordable price for future eligible households or for the subsidy to berecycled for alternative affordable housing provision. Social rented housing is owned bylocal authorities and private registered providers (as defined in section 80 of the Housingand Regeneration Act 2008), for which guideline target rents are determined through thenational rent regime. It may also be owned by other persons and provided under equivalentrental arrangements to the above, as agreed with the local authority or with the Homes andCommunities Agency. Affordable rented housing is let by local authorities or privateregistered providers of social housing to households who are eligible for social rentedhousing. Affordable Rent is subject to rent controls that require a rent of no more than 80%of the local market rent (including service charges, where applicable). Intermediate housingis homes for sale and rent provided at a cost above social rent, but below market rent levelssubject to the criteria in the Affordable Housing definition above. These can include sharedequity (shared ownership and equity loans), other low cost homes for sale and intermediaterent, but not affordable rented housing. Homes that do not meet the above definition ofaffordable housing, such as 'low cost market'' housing, may not be considered as affordablehousing for planning purposes."

Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) - areas designated by Wyre Forest District Councilwhere the level of pollutant concentrations in the atmosphere results in the air quality notmeeting the objectives set out by central government in 2005.

Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) - an annually produced document which sets out theprogress made in achieving the timetable set out in the Local Development Scheme (nowreferred to as the Project Plan) as well as measuring the effectiveness of the developmentplan policies.

Areas of Development Restraint (ADR) (also referred to as Safeguarded Land) - land whichlies between the urban area and the Green Belt which is identified to meet longer termdevelopment needs stretching well beyond the plan period. Safeguarded land is notallocated for development at the present time and planning permission should only begranted for such land following a Local Plan review which proposes development. Untilareas of safeguarded land are identified for development, Green Belt policies apply to them.Chalets – these are buildings, also sometimes referred to as shacks, which are primarilyconstructed of materials of less than average permanency and used for residentialoccupation.

Climate Change - long-term changes in temperature, precipitation, wind and all otheraspects of the Earth’s climate. Often regarded as a result of human activity and fossil fuelconsumption.

Code for Sustainable Homes - a new national best practice standard for sustainable designand construction of new homes. Level 6 of the Code is equivalent to zero carbon.Community Facilities - facilities which provide for the health, welfare, social, educational,spiritual, recreational, leisure and cultural needs of the community.

Comparison Floorspace - refers to the floor space for comparison goods, which are itemsthat are not obtained on a frequent basis. These include clothing, footwear, household andrecreational goods.

Conservation Area - an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character orappearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.

Developer Contributions - developer contributions are often required for majordevelopments to ensure sufficient provision is made for infrastructure and services such asroads, schools, healthcare and other facilities. Contributions are usually secured throughplanning conditions or legal agreements (often referred to as planning obligations or Section106 agreements).

Development Plan- the Development Plan for the District comprises of the Core Strategy,the Site Allocations and Policies Local Plan and the Kidderminster Central Area Action Plan.Neighbourhood Plans will also form part of the Development Plan, once adopted.

Evidence Base - the information and data gathered by local authorities to justify the‘soundness’ of the policy approach set out in Local Development Documents, including thephysical, economic and social characteristics of an area.

Flood Risk Assessment - an assessment of the likelihood of flooding in a particular area sothat development needs and mitigation measures can be carefully considered.

Geodiversity - the range of rocks, fossils, minerals, soils, landforms and natural processesthat go to make up the Earth's landscape and structure.

Green Belt Land - land which is situated between urban areas on which development isrestricted so as to ensure urban sprawl – the uncontrolled, unplanned growth of urbanareas – does not occur.

Green Infrastructure - the living network of green spaces, water and environmental systemsin, around and beyond urban areas. This also includes blue infrastructure (e.g. Canals andRivers).

Greenfield Land - land which has never been developed; this includes greenbelt land andareas of open countryside, as well as undeveloped land within urban areas.

Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) - the purpose of this assessmentis to provide information on the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers in orderascertain what the appropriate number, type and distribution of additional pitches need tobe provided within the area.

Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) - tests the impacts of a proposal on natureconservation sites of European importance, and is a requirement under EU legislation forland use plans and projects.

Heritage - a general term used to refer to historical and archaeological features, buildingsand monuments which are of local, regional or national interest.

Heritage Asset -a building, monument, site, place, area or landscape identified as having adegree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, because of its heritageinterest. Heritage asset includes designated heritage assets and assets identified by the localplanning authority (including local listing).

Historic Environment – All aspects of the environment resulting from the interactionbetween people and places through time, including all surviving physical remains of pasthuman activity, whether visible, buried or submerged, and landscaped and plated ormanaged flora.

Horsiculture - the commercial development of the countryside for pasturing or exercisinghorses.

Infrastructure - basic services necessary for development to take place; for example, roads,electricity, sewerage, water, education and health facilities.

Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) - an assessment of landscape character which isdefined as ‘a distinct, recognisable, and consistent pattern of elements in the landscapewhich makes one landscape different from another'.

Lifetime Homes Standard - criteria developed by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in 1991to help house builders to produce new homes flexible enough to deal with changes in lifesituations of the occupants such as caring for young children, temporary injuries anddeclining mobility with age.

Listed Building - a building of special architectural or historic interest. Listed buildings aregraded I, II* or II, with grade I being the highest. Listing includes the interior as well as theexterior of the building and any buildings or permanent structures within its curtilage.

Live/Work - is defined as property that is specifically designed for dual use, combining bothresidential and employment space. It is regarded as sui generis use. Live/work units are dualuse but are functionally different and therefore each element should involve separateentrances, kitchens and toilet facilities.

Local Development Scheme (LDS) - a three year timetable setting out the type ofDevelopment Plans to be produced and the key milestones for their development. Nowreferred to as a Project Plan.

Local Heritage List - the Local Heritage List identifies those heritage assets that are notprotected by statutory designations. Their local interest could be related to the social andeconomic history of the area, individuals of local importance. The Local Heritage List is notrestricted to buildings. It may comprise sites, places or areas such as village greens or ponds.Local Needs Housing - including affordable housing and market housing which addressesthe established* needs of different groups in the community such as but not limited to,families with children, older people, people with disabilities, service families and peoplewishing to build their own homes.(*through Parish Housing Needs Surveys, NeighbourhoodPlans and Local Housing Waiting Lists).

Local Plans (LPs) - the collective term given to all statutory documents that form theDevelopment Plan for the District. These comprise of the Core Strategy, Site Allocations andPolicies, Kidderminster Central Area Action Plan and a Policies Map.

Major Developments - major developments include; Residential developmentcompromising at least 10 dwellings or a site area of at least 1 hectare if the number ofdwellings is not specified. Other uses where the floor space to be built is greater than 1,000square metres or the site area is at least 1 hectare in size.

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) - the document which sets out theGovernment’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied. Itprovides a framework within which local people and their accountable councils can producetheir own distinctive local and neighbourhood plans, which reflect the needs and prioritiesof their communities. The NPPF must be taken into account in the preparation of local andneighbourhood plans, and is a material consideration in decisions on planning applications.Natural England - Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve andenhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas.

Open Space - all space of public value, which can offer opportunities for sport andrecreation or can also act as a visual amenity and a haven for wildlife. Areas of open spaceinclude public landscaped areas, playing fields, parks and play areas, and also areas of watersuch as rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs.

Original Dwelling - an original dwelling is one as it existed on 1st July, 1948, or ifconstructed after 1 July 1948, as it was built originally.

Outfarms - farm buildings set within the fields, away from the main farmstead. They weretypically sited in areas where farmsteads and fields were sited at a long distance from eachother and allowed functions, normally carried out in the farmstead, to be undertakenremotely, including the processing and storage of crops, the housing of animals and theproduction of manure. Outfarms can range from full courtyard plans to small, singlebuildings standing in a field (also referred to as Field Barns).

Parish Plans - these reflect the planning issues present at a local level in the rural areas ofthe District. These plans carry no weight in the planning system but are designed to informthe District Council of local planning issues.

Previously Developed Land (PDL) - land which is, or was occupied by a permanent structure,including the curtilage of the developed land (although it should not be assumed that thewhole of the cartilage should be developed) and any associated fixed surface infrastructure.This excludes: land that is or has been occupied by agricultural or forestry buildings; landthat has been developed for minerals extraction or waste disposal by landfill purposeswhere provision for restoration has been made through development control procedures;land in built-up areas such as private residential gardens, parks, recreation grounds andallotments; and land that was previously-developed but where the remains of thepermanent structure or fixed surface structure have blended into the landscape in theprocess of time.

Rural Exception Sites-small sites for the provision of affordable housing in perpetuity or tomeet another specific identified local housing need (as evidenced through the ParishHousing Needs Survey, Neighbourhood Plan or the Council’s Adopted Local ConnectionsPolicy), at locations which would not normally be used for housing. Rural exception sitesseek to address the needs of the local community by accommodating households who areeither current residents or have an existing family or employment connection. Smallnumbers of market homes may be allowed at the local authority’s discretion, for examplewhere essential to enable the delivery of affordable units without grant funding.Scheduled Monument - a 'nationally important' archaeological site or historic building,given protection against unauthorised change.

Significance (for heritage policy) – The value of a heritage asset to this and futuregenerations because of its heritage interest. That interest may be archaeological,architectural, artistic or historic. Significance derives not only from a heritage asset’sphysical presence, but also from its setting.

Significant Trees - those trees which are protected by Tree Preservation Orders or which areimportant to local character.

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) - a specifically defined area within which protectionis afforded to ecological or geological features. Sites are officially notified by NaturalEngland.

Strategic Centres - there are 25 town centres in the West Midlands region that are definedin the former Regional Spatial Strategy as ‘Strategic Centres’ and recognised for their crucialrole in meeting the shopping and commercial needs of the region. Kidderminster is one ofonly three Worcestershire centres recognised in this way (together with Worcester City andRedditch).

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) - collates information on all known sources offlooding that may affect existing or future development within the District. Such sourcesinclude river, surface water (local drainage), sewers and groundwater. In collecting thisinformation, the SFRA identifies and maps areas that have a ‘low’, ‘medium’ and ‘high’probability of flooding within the Wyre Forest, in accordance with National Policy. Thisinformation is used in the site selection process and also informs the SustainabilityAppraisal.

Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) - the primary role of the SHLAA isto identify sites with potential for housing, assess their housing potential and assess whenthey are likely to be developed.

Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) - the SHMA is an assessment of housingmarket influences, current and future housing demand issues, impacts of past and plannedhousing supply and the impacts of economic and demographic changes.

Sustainable Communities - sustainable communities are places where people want to liveand work, now and in the future. They meet the diverse needs of existing and future residents, are sensitive to their environment, and contribute to a high quality of life. Theyare safe and inclusive, well planned, built and run, and offer equality of opportunity andgood services for all.(See Communities and Local Government website (www.communities.gov.uk)

Sustainable Community Strategy - the Sustainable Community Strategy 2008-2014 bringstogether the concerns of Wyre Forest communities under six main themes which theCouncil and its partners need to focus their efforts on in order to improve the social,economic and environmental wellbeing of the District. These are: - Communities that aresafe and feel safe; A Better Environment for Today and Tomorrow; Economic SuccessShared By All; Improving Health & Wellbeing; Meeting the Needs of Children and YoungPeople and Stronger Communities. These themes will be addressed through the AdoptedCore Strategy.

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) - an environmentally friendly way of dealing withsurface water run-off which increases the time taken for surface water to reachwatercourses, thereby reducing flash flooding.

Sustainability Appraisal (SA) - the purpose of SA is to ensure that the Development Plan andassociated Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) conform to the Governmentprinciples of Sustainable Development which are: Living within environmental limits;Ensuring a strong, healthy and just society; Achieving a sustainable economy; Promotinggood governance; and Using sound science responsibly.

Water Cycle Strategy - this assesses the constraints and requirements that may arise fromthe scale of the proposed development on the water infrastructure in the District. Thereport focuses on potential development sites and assesses flood risk, water supply,sewerage infrastructure, wastewater treatment, and river quality and demand managementmeasures. These are discussed in more general terms.

Waterways - navigable watercourses encompassing canals, navigable rivers and reservoirs.West Midlands Sustainability Checklist - this is an easy-to-use online tool that identifies arange of different economic, social and environmental sustainability issues covered inNational Guidance and the former West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy. It enables usersto assess to what extent a development site proposal will deliver on the different aspects ofsustainability.

Windfall Site - a site not specifically allocated for development in a development plan, butwhich unexpectedly becomes available for development during the lifetime of a plan. Mostwindfall sites are for housing.

Worcestershire Local Transport Plan 3 (LTP3) 2011-2026 - sets out Worcestershire’stransport strategy, as well as identifying major long-term transportation pressures on theCounty.